GSS Gas Switching Systems

When Gas Switching System is used with a Q-Box Package the larger flow gas pump (Q-P651) is used (3LPM no load). It carries the reference gas via the G261 low-pressure regulator to the flow meters. Each flow meter supplies and manually controls the flow of gas to each sample chamber. Output gas from all sample chambers is carried to the gas inputs on the gas switcher (G244-8 channel or G243-4 channel). The specific chamber is selected by the software and its gas is carried to the analyzers and the flow monitor of the Q-Box via a solenoid valve associated with that channel inside the gas switcher.  The output from the remaining chambers vents via the gas switcher vent ports to the atmosphere. As a result, all chambers have gas flowing past the sample at all times. Channel 1 is always used as a reference channel. This is an Open Flow setup.

The Gas Switching System can also be provided for Stop-Flow measurements. Stop-Flow is employed when measuring small, inactive samples, i.e. single insects. Each chamber is then associated with a solenoid assembly (A380) of two 3-way valves, which are activated to stop flow through the chamber and allow accumulation of CO2 and depletion of O2. When the valves become deactivated the gas from the chamber is swept through the gas analyzers of the Q-Box for measurements. Stop-Flow setup provides a more sensitive configuration.

• Gas Switching Systems are available in multiples of 4
• GSS are available for open flow (more active organisms) and stop flow (small and less active organisms) measurements
• Allow measurements of gas exchange in multiple organisms with one set of analyzers
• Software control, data collection, and calculations of key parameters
• Raw and calculated data displayed in graphs during experimental run
• Export of all data to csv files

measurements of multiple samples with one set of gas analyzers:

• photosynthesis and plant respiration
• animal respiration
• insect respiration
• soil respiration
• nitrogen fixation
• head-space gas analysis above water sample

• G244 Eight Channel Gas Switcher in GSS-8 OR G243 Four Channel Gas Switcher in GSS-4
• Flow Meters on manifolds (8 OR 4), alternatively G245 (8ch – 2LPM), G247 (8ch – 1LPM) or G248 (4ch – 2LP) and G250 (4ch -1LPM) flow monitors
• G261 Low-Pressure Regulator
• A380 solenoid valve assemblies for stop-flow measurements (8 or 4)
• Tubing and Connectors
• Customized Experimental Files (DeweSOFT)
• Flow-through Chambers (Optional)

Two modes of operation are available for the gas switching system.  Sequential mode allows measurements of all channels from 1 to 8 (in eight channel system) with the reference channel being measured every 8 channels. Alternate mode allows sequential measurements of all channels with the reference channel (1) being measured after each sample channel.  In this mode, the reference signal is measured more frequently.  Users can select the No of Channels, Mode, SampleTime (on each channel) in the software.